1964 galaxie 390, 12v with generator. I cannot get my car to charge. I've replaced the generator with a rebuilt and I've replaced the regulator. Still will not charge. How can I check that my rebuilt generator is actually working? It could be the wiring as the car had this problem since I bought it. Does anyone know what the voltage output should be from the "field" terminal of the voltage regulator? I'm getting less than two volts when the ignition is on. Is there a better way to trouble shoot? I'd appreciate any help. Just want to get my car running this weekend. Thanks.
Two things, the battery must be up to voltage ,if it is flat or low it probably won't put out 12 volts to start with, the battery powers the fields in the generator. Secondly when you replace the generator/regulator you need to polarise it. Polarizing the Generator A generator that has been repaired or tested must be polarized in respect to the battery it is to charge. Failure to polarize the generator in respect to the battery it is to charge may result in generator regulator failure. The generator is polarized by disconnecting the field wire and the battery wire from their respective terminals at the regulator and momentarily touching the two wires together (the engine is not running during this procedure). This quick surge of current correctly polarizes the generator. Reconnect the field wire and the battery wire to their respective terminals on the regulator. Cheers C
If the battery is dead flat when you put it all together and the generator is not polarised correctly it can reverse the charge in the battery... make the positive into negative ......I have seen this happen way back when .....ah when there were no alternators..showing my age now......haha
You can check the genny output by temporarily grounding the field terminal with the engine at idle. This should result in the amp meter showing full charge. If it does the genny is working and the problem is the VR or the gauge. If you have a light and not a gauge, get a cheapy ammeter from the bubble pack rack and wire it into the circuit by connecting the wire from the BATT post of the VR to one side of the meter, and then connecting a jumper from the other post to the Batt terminal on the VR. Make sure the gauge terminals don't contact anything where they could ground. You should be able to get a better picture of what is happening with your system.
Also.....if you have a light instead of a gauge, make sure the bulb in the warning light is good. I'm not sure about a generator system but in an alternator system a burned out bulb will result in an alternator that won't charge..
Thanks. I will check the generator output by this method. However, I do not have a dash gauge, only a light.
I did not know that - thanks. I know my light is working as it turns on while the car is running. Whether or not it is wired correctly is a different story. In any case I am certain it is not the indicator as the car shuts down when I detatch the battery cable.
I'll offer some advice that solved a problem on my 66 Galaxie and should be done to any car with a frame. Not saying it will solve you problem, but something worth doing. I had an alternator though...anyway Ground from battery to radiator support (body) Ground from battery to engine block Groung from engine to firewall You'd think that would cover it. I had a problem where the charging was ok until I happen to be using heater, wipers, headlights, stock radio. I added a ground from engine to frame and all my charging problems were gone. I have seen the same problem occur on several pickups and this usually fixed. This after replacing the battery and alternator.
These are great suggestions. Thanks. My engine block is grounded to the body and the battery to the block.
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